Media Release
3 July 2008

New AUT university campus good news for Manukau school leavers

The new Manukau university campus is a big step towards getting better qualifications for more of the city’s young people, Acting Manukau Mayor Gary Troup says.

Mr Troup is welcoming the announcement that Auckland University of Technology will establish a campus close to Manukau city centre.

“Manukau has large numbers of students leaving school who don’t go on to tertiary education. Only 2.6 per cent of Counties Manukau people are in tertiary education, which is about half the national average.

“The council has been advocating for many years about the need for a university in our backyard. It’s great the government and AUT have recognised that need and a campus will be established next year.

“Manukau Institute of Technology has done, and will continue to do a great job in this city. The AUT university campus will give our young people another option for getting the skills they need to do well in life.

“We hope that the facilities and courses on offer will attract people who might not otherwise go on to tertiary training,” Mr Troup says.

“Access to universities has always been a problem for people in Counties Manukau. With 450,000 people in the area and Manukau being the fastest growing city in New Zealand, the huge demand for tertiary education in this part of our region will only increase.

“By 2012 Manukau is expected to have created 40,000 new jobs. To meet the needs of business the city needs more local people with degrees and qualifications.

The AUT university campus will be complementary to plans for a new tertiary campus close to Hayman Park, Mr Troup says.

In February, following public consultation, Manukau City Council decided against entering a joint venture with AUT to establish a university campus.

ENDS

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